Helderberg Blue gets the nod
RAIN and a soft track has added another dimension to an already difficult Gr2 eLan Gold Cup to be run at Greyville on Sunday. Pretty much as in the recent Vodacom Durban July the race is a lottery where smart tactics, an ability handle the ground laced with a smidgen of good luck will carry the day.
In a race where all 16 runners are in with realistic winning chances, first choice Helderberg Blue faces a difficult race. A hot temperament has often got the better of the son of Jet Master and he may well boast a better record of just four wins if he had not been so difficult.
Just short of top class, he has calmed down as he has got older and can finally run up to his full potential as he steps out over 3200m for the first time.
Recent signs have been good. He started his Champions Season campaign with a warm-up over a ‘mile’ and then stretched to 2400m for only the second time in his career he finished just over a length back to the blinkered No Worries in the Highland Night Cup. Since then he has been placed in both the Lonsdale, beaten half-a-length by Balance Sheet, and the July consolation behind Punta Arenas.
He will be at his very peak come Sunday and with a favourable draw he should have every chance.
Mike de Kock’s has five runners including the first four past the post in the SABC Gold Vase.
Writing on his website De Kock said that Gold Vase winner Enaad was perhaps the best of the five, but did suggest that Weichong Marwing’s mount, The Centenary, was one to keep an eye on.
Second to Punta Arenas in the July consolation he said of the New Zealand-bred filly: “She is out of a Montjeu mare and I believe she will get the trip. Richard Fourie got off last time when she ran second to Punta Arenas and was very impressed with her. She’s a game filly and she looks like a stayer. I’m quite confident she will run well.”
De Kock considers Enaad, who is at 10-1, as very well handicapped. He said: “Enaad put up a very good performance in the Gold Vase and the only reason I wasn’t more confident was because I did feel he was suspect over the distance.
“He is now stronger, better and more mature and I would say he is the best of the five. However, he is drawn wide and that is a problem. I know the race is over 3200m and barrier positions are less relevant but for me, a bad draw is a bad draw.
“If you are well drawn you can often get a position for nothing but off a wide draw you always have to work to get a position. But a lot can happen over two miles.”
Gold Vase winning jockey S’manga Khumalo retains the ride.
Dean Kannemeyer has a good record in this race and saddles three runners, including current antepost favourite and the progressive Cape Speed.
The three-year-old has been in exceptional form of late, winning his last three on the trot, most recently the KZN Derby at Scottsville beating Deputy Jud. He too steps out over this trip for the first time but given his pedigree there are unlikely to be any stamina limitations.
Callan Murry will be crowned Champion Apprentice two days after the meeting and start his career as a professional jockey on a high if he can get home aboard the Weiho Marwing-trained Zafira. She finished a neck behind The Centenary two runs back and comes off a recent victory in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein. She has only once finished out of the money and could be the surprise package in a race that has surprise written all over it.